A serious illness destroyed Helen Keller’s sight and hearing before she reached the age of two. At seven, she was introduced to Ann Sullivan, the beloved teacher and friend who helped Helen to make contact with her world. Through sheer determination and resolve, Helen learned to speak, read, and write, and prepared herself for entry into prep school by the age of sixteen. She later enrolled at Radcliffe and graduated with honors. Her motto: “There are no handicaps, only challenges.”
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"Helen Keller (1880-1968) was remarkably intelligent and energetic and of an almost unnaturally sweet and happy disposition, and I think she would have become well-known even without her disabilities. She wrote this facinating autobiography while she was a student at Radcliffe in her early 20s. There she attended lectures with her constant companion and teacher Anne Sullivan, who signed the professor's words into her hand using the manual alphabet developed for the deaf, which was fast enough to get the gist. Miss Keller read in braille and raised letters and wrote on a typewriter. Her writing was equal to or superior to the best of her classmates, which is remarkable considering that she was stricken blind and deaf at 19 months and until the age of six had no language and did not know that things had names. In that year the 20-year-old Miss Sullivan came to tutor her, and within a month had tamed her (she had become a bit spoiled) and gotten her to understand the existence of manual alphabet names--the famous "water" revelation at the pump. Within two years Miss Keller could write perfectly good letters to friends and family, using pencil on paper over a grooved board to provide lines, with the left hand tracing progress across the page to maintain letter spacing. By the age of 10 she was a celebrity, fussed over and indulged whever she went. Her college-age writing is remarkable for the frequency with which she uses visual imagery, mentioning the lustrousness of this or the sparkling of that, or remarking on the grandness of a vista. None of these things can have been directly perceptible to her. She had a great (and understandable) desire to be like sighted and hearing people, and apparently a gift for imitation of style, whether innate or a consequence of her disabilities. I also suspect that there is a natural predisposition of the human mind to receive visual images, which Miss Keller developed by means of her active mind and intelligence. Miss Sullivan (herself weak-eyed) had earlier met Laura Bridgman (1829-1889), a deaf-blind girl who had been educated using many of the same techniques, but who apparently lacked Miss Keller's great talents and lived quietly and happily in retired obscurity."
— Roger (5 out of 5 stars)
“Helen Keller is fellow to Caesar, Alexander, Napoleon, Homer, Shakespeare, and the rest of the immortals…She will be as famous a thousand years from now as she is today.”
— Mark Twain“The greatest woman of our age.”
— Winston Churchill“This is a classic; special because it is an autobiographical account of a young woman who overcame being deaf and blind. All the fears, trials and emotions of her struggles from childhood come through in exquisite language.”
— Children’s Literature“This audiobook is read by Mary Woods who brings a lyrical quality to the reading of Helen’s riveting narrative. I highly recommend this book to everyone! If you ever think that challenges are too hard to overcome, this story will not only inspire, but will also fill you with wonders of life.”
— Large Print Reviews" When I was in middle school I watched The Miracle Worker and became fascinated with Helen Keller amd all that she accomplished. This remains one of my favorite autobiograhies! "
— Heidi, 2/16/2014" I suspect my wife picked this up at the library book sale. I had to read it because Miracle Worker is one of my all-time favorite movies. Helen does an amazing job with the medium of autobiography here. I respect her even more now. "
— Judson, 2/15/2014" INSPIRATION ABILITY TO DESTRUCT THE NATURAL OBSTACLES "
— Nourhan, 2/15/2014" What an amazing woman. If only we who see could see what she did in life. A great book to inspire you to goodness. "
— Dawn, 2/12/2014" She is my new hero. She is such an accomplished woman by anybodys standards that I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that she is deaf AND blind. "
— Rebecca, 2/10/2014" I am so glad I read this book! What an amazing person and life! Helen Keller explains so many things that I had questions about. I suppose many are familiar with the moment Helen's teacher, Annie Sullivan, breaksthrough the dark world Helen was living in. What I found fascinating was all the learning that followed. Helen meets many famous Americans such as Alexander Graham Bell, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Mark Twain. She also has many interests and hobbies. Her education was thorough and she acknowledges that it could not have happend without many people who gave themselves and their precious time to further her efforts. "
— Pbright, 2/10/2014" Incredible story.....I don't know how she did it. "
— Elaine, 2/8/2014" This in one of those stories that makes me want to be a better person. Definitely a well written and "I'm now a better person, for having read this" book. I will probably read again at least yearly. "
— Wwonkagirl, 2/7/2014" I love almost anything about Helen Keller...she gives me hope. Her strength is unbelievable. "
— Donna, 2/6/2014" An energetic look into the incredible story of Helen Keller, whose handicaps (blind and deaf) proved to be no obstacle to the blossoming of a caring and compassionate woman, nor to the intellectual maturation of a humanist spirit. Written at an early age, as she was finishing her college degree, this rather conventional (yet earnestly written) story bursts with optimism and fortitude. "
— Sylvain, 2/3/2014" This book is so inspiring and motivating. Love it!!! "
— Rida, 1/31/2014" Helen Keller's autobiography is so inspiring. "
— Wendy, 1/28/2014" What a lady! Be sure to get an edition that includes Annie Sullivan's letters. "
— Gail, 1/27/2014" Lovely story of an amazing woman; not really terribly similar to the TV story. Much better. What a remarkable lady. Recommend!! "
— Nancy, 1/24/2014" Although the story was amazing and great, I just found the book very depressing and tiring. "
— Ben, 1/20/2014" eventhou, haven't read it completely, everyone knows how amaze Hellen Keller's life, so i give 5 stars 4 it "
— Nazly, 1/19/2014" I've read this a few times. She's so amazing. When she was learning to speak..I mean she held the persons tongue, rubbed the lips, all to see how her own mouth was to be. It's too much. I'm lazy and ungrateful. "
— Jaymi, 1/18/2014" She's an amazing woman and lived an incredible life, but her writing is mediocre and melodramatic. "
— Maija-Liisa, 1/15/2014" A book that does no one any harm to read. "
— Cheryl, 1/15/2014" It is not often that I encounter something that really makes me appreciate the beauty of this life like Helen's very frank recollections of her life. "
— Daniel, 1/13/2014" "Miss Keller enthralls the end reader with a no-nonsense account of her struggle and gives the "Impossible is nothing " message in a subtle way. " "
— Rajat, 1/12/2014" Helen Keller's personal journey is a story I look to whenever I am in need of inspiration. She spoke simply. Her self-discovery and discovery of the world around her, with the help of her teacher, is an exaggerated example of what most humans spend their whole lives trying to do. "
— Allie, 1/10/2014" The book left me amazed at the capabilities of the human mind and heart, and deeply embarrassed by my own pathetic attempts. "
— Mary, 1/5/2014" Interesting book - not gripping, by any means, but it was pretty fascinating how Helen Keller used so much description and imagery in her writing when she can't see and hear. I was also fascinated by how quickly, and how much she managed to learn once she found a teacher who was able to get through to her. It makes me wonder what I do with my time. "
— Jera, 12/27/2013" Helen Keller is on my "Panel of Heroes" (a device my counselor father taught me to use... the idea is that every time you have a crucial decision to make in life, you consult your panel of heroes and think about what THEY would do). Talk about one who OVERCOMES. When you read this book, think about this fact and it will blow your mind: The eloquent, intelligent, perceptive voice you are reading belongs to someone who does not remember EVER hearing another human voice or speaking with her own. That she can communicate at all is amazing. That she does it with such depth and meaning is UNBELIEVABLE. "
— Meg, 12/26/2013" This was such an interesting book for me! I grew up knowing the story of Hellen Keller but I always wondered what her story was. It was so enlightening to hear her thoughts and views on life and learning and art.... She was a very smart woman! I had no idea she did so many things in her life! "
— Desiree, 12/20/2013" I did not read the reprint, I read the one published in the 1910's! Belonged to my Great Aunt. "
— Amanda, 12/15/2013" This book is divided into several parts--some of which I liked and others not so much. But then it was easy to skip on to the next part if I wasn't enjoying it so much. I liked the letters best especially Anne Sullivan's letters. "
— Tiffany, 12/13/2013" When I picked this book off a long forgotten shelf, I was motivated by only the slightest curiosity and the consolation that it would only take an hour or two to read. Several hours later, I am incredibly glad I did. This little gem was one of the first things Helen Keller published when she was 23, the same age I am now. In her vivid descriptions of the world as she smelled and felt and imagined it, her youthful passion for life truly shines. As I read her words, I felt I was reading my own feelings of wonder and burgeoning possibility for the future captured more aptly and sincerely than I could ever have managed. Despite, or maybe because of, the darkness and solitude forced upon her by her handicap, she paints an uplifting world in her imagination full of brightness and joy that spills off the page. The middle section, describing her education, drags a bit, though it was still interesting to understand the process by which she acquired her miraculous capacity for communication. The true beauty of her prose, however, lies in the beginning, where she reminisces on her Alabama childhood, and the end, where she discusses her literary passions. Those are the pages that make this small book a worthwhile read in its own right, independent from the celebrity of its author. "
— Ann, 12/12/2013" Amazing women she is to be able to acheive what she has as a writer! "
— Sylvie, 12/11/2013" It was cool how she was able to do all those things but... the book in it's self was just...blah. "
— Victoria, 12/4/2013" this is a story of an amazing woman, never give up ur dreams even if other people say u can't do it!!!! "
— Millie, 12/3/2013" This book is divided into several parts--some of which I liked and others not so much. But then it was easy to skip on to the next part if I wasn't enjoying it so much. I liked the letters best especially Anne Sullivan's letters. "
— Tiffany, 11/25/2013" Not much more can be said about this amazing story. This story is all about the power of determination and resilience when most would give up. "
— Teresa, 11/23/2013" A very classic this book is indeed. Didn't realize how much Helen accomplished in her life with her disabilities. "
— Marnie, 11/19/2013" I have read Helen Keller biographies & seen 2 or 3 movies about her & read this book when I was a teen, but I still LOVE IT. To have her explain what it was like to be deaf, blind & with out words and to be brought out of that to become a college student... for this book ends long before her life did. It probably helped her pay for her college education, etc. So kids if you think school is hard, you don't know what hard is. "
— Deb, 10/28/2013" I suspect my wife picked this up at the library book sale. I had to read it because Miracle Worker is one of my all-time favorite movies. Helen does an amazing job with the medium of autobiography here. I respect her even more now. "
— Judson, 10/19/2013" This is a pretty interesting book and worth reading, even though she spends a lot of time going into some insignificant details. "
— Erin, 10/18/2013" A blind-deaf and dumb as she named herself. A woman with a supernatural power inside that made her to be educated. "
— Maria, 10/16/2013" Very slow read, but I enjoyed learning about her. "
— Megan, 10/10/2013" This book is a keeper! I want my own copy so I can make my own notes in the margins. "
— Marci, 10/2/2013" Helen Keller's life story is fascinating and so sadly, her lack of writing talent does not do it justice. "
— Kurtamyd, 9/28/2013" It is amazing what Miss Keller accomplished. I did find it very sad that with all of the teachers she had, it seems not one of them taught her about a personal relationship with Christ... "
— Laura, 9/10/2013" A book that changed my life. I grew up, learned sign language, worked for many years at the state deaf school, married a man with deaf children, and parented them. Helen's story is absolutely fascinating....she was a rare bird. "
— Margaret, 9/4/2013" Beautifully written autobiography of Helen Keller's early life that I read originally when I was way too young to understand. It's really a shame no one seems to know much about her anymore. "
— MAP, 8/12/2013" Very interesting. The transcriptions of the letters she wrote really show how she progressed in understanding language. "
— Melissa, 8/9/2013" This truly affected me. A real eye opener about the truth of her story and also spurrs you on to greater things "
— Brook, 8/1/2013" I learned a lot about her life...not written the best though. "
— Rachel, 8/1/2013" Not what I expected at all. I read this over a long period of time, a few pages every day to prevent complete boredom. The section of letters at the end gave me the most trouble. "
— Sherri, 7/13/2013" Helen's moving autobiography also contains a sampling of her letters. Helen is amazingly upbeat and never seems to feel sorry for herself even when things aren't going her way. A great look into the life of an amazing woman and role model for all of us. A great introduction to nonfiction. "
— Dayna, 7/7/2013" This truly affected me. A real eye opener about the truth of her story and also spurrs you on to greater things "
— Brook, 6/7/2013" I read this for the first time in the first grade and probably used it at least three times for book reports. Go me! "
— Britta, 4/17/2013" Helen Keller was amazing and this book is her telling about her life it is a really good book and a fast read "
— Lauryn, 4/8/2013" Not necessarily the world's greatest book, but her life accomplishments and her unwavering spirit of determination are amazing! "
— Gregory, 2/28/2013" i really liked hearing the stories about Helen's life growing up the way that she did, and how she found joy in the tiniest of things. "
— Andie, 2/5/2013" I suspect my wife picked this up at the library book sale. I had to read it because Miracle Worker is one of my all-time favorite movies. Helen does an amazing job with the medium of autobiography here. I respect her even more now. "
— Judson, 1/6/2013" Simultaneously amazing, inspiring and kinda sad. "
— melody, 12/11/2012" Not much more can be said about this amazing story. This story is all about the power of determination and resilience when most would give up. "
— Teresa, 11/5/2012" Helen Keller was one of my all time heroines! Not only inspriring but a true human being who overcame so much to IMPACT the world around her! This is a fantastic book! "
— Sean, 10/19/2012" inspirational and unforgettable--read it many years ago "
— Pat, 10/9/2012" She is deaf blind. However, she can make me see whatever she wants me to see. Exquisite descriptions. Amazing ! "
— Pa, 9/30/2012" Another amazingly inspirational human being. Essential reading. "
— Sapphirediva, 9/18/2012" Not much more can be said about this amazing story. This story is all about the power of determination and resilience when most would give up. "
— Teresa, 8/9/2012" Very slow read, but I enjoyed learning about her. "
— Megan, 7/17/2012" I rarely find autobiographies appealing, but this one really moved me. I can't imagine facing what Helen did. I'm so glad she shared her experiences with us. "
— Brandi, 6/13/2012" I've read this book at least twice and plan on reading it again soon. "
— Cali, 6/2/2012" I was inspired by this great book about Helen Keller "
— Jeniann, 4/13/2012" the story of an extroidinary woman named helen keller, who overcame the handicaps of deafness and blindness, went on to become the first deaf and blind person to earn a college diploma, and became a leading voice and champion for the handicapped, and became one of the most loved woman of our time "
— Bronwyn, 3/6/2012" With her clear descriptions and concise language, you forget that she can not see nor hear. It is truly amazing. "
— Stephi, 2/29/2012" A beautiful account of a beautiful life by an extraordinary person. It's truly remarkable to learn that a woman deprived (?) of 2 of the quintessential senses could live a life so rich. Not a sentence goes by without her enriching the world and life that you actually see, hear and feel. "
— Parimala, 2/21/2012" Although the story was amazing and great, I just found the book very depressing and tiring. "
— Ben, 2/16/2012" Keller never fails to inspire me. "
— Hanson, 2/14/2012" Beautifully written and descriptive book. It is a fascinating look into Helen Keller's life. Helen so vividly describes her life and life around her, it is hard to imagine that she is not seeing and hearing the world around her. "
— Susan, 2/10/2012" This book was ok! It definitely told me everything I wanted and needed to know about Hellen Keller! "
— Morgan, 1/12/2012" just reread it. It gives new understanding for my fellow human beings. surprising "
— Kim, 12/14/2011" Buku yang patut dibaca bagi Anda yang merasa selalu berada dalam keterpurukan. Ini adalah salah satu suplemen untuk membangkitkan semangat hidup kalian! "
— Lisfatul, 11/12/2011" Helen Keller inspired my young mind. I wanted to learn sign language and become an educator of the deaf as a result of her story. "
— Kecia, 11/11/2011" inspiring is all I could say. if I were in her position (being me, haha), I wouldn't have/couldn't have done the things she has done. I admire her for that! "
— Annika, 10/16/2011" I was always fascinated with Helen Keller and how she could learn to read and speak without the ability to hear or see. I read everything I could about her. "
— Stacy, 10/11/2011" cool person but boring book "
— Alan, 9/20/2011" This was a book club choice. I enjoyed it but most of all I really was grateful for all of the things that I take for granted. She has incredible insight. "
— Allison, 9/11/2011" Helen Keller's story is inspirational. This book, while short and simple, is interesting in describing her life as a learning process. "
— Helmisade, 8/30/2011" It was a decent book, but I had hoped it would focus more on here challenges in life rather than birds and trees. I was very interested in the chapters where she would talk about learning new things or realizations and how they came about. It was a very scattered book. "
— Miss, 7/31/2011" I read this book when I was in grade school. Helen Keller always interests me and she is my hero. She overcame her disabilities to learn by sign language and Braille to communicate. I would read this book again. : ) "
— Carey, 7/5/2011" I clearly read a different version of Helen Keller's life when I was younger. This is a very repetitive and drawn out account. I know this is her story as written by her... but... for such an inspiring woman, this is. Very boring read. "
— Louise, 6/9/2011" It is not often that I encounter something that really makes me appreciate the beauty of this life like Helen's very frank recollections of her life. "
— Daniel, 5/22/2011" I had a hard time putting this book down. It is a joy to read about Helen Keller's experiences and adversities. She is very descriptive in a way that it reminds us of the things that we take for granted everyday. This should be in everyone's must read shelf if they haven't already read it. "
— Angie, 5/2/2011" read this with my daughter. We discovered the good of a string will. "
— Summisse, 5/1/2011" read this with my daughter. We discovered the good of a string will. "
— Summisse, 5/1/2011" read this with my daughter. We discovered the good of a string will. "
— Summisse, 5/1/2011" read this with my daughter. We discovered the good of a string will. "
— Summisse, 5/1/2011" i think this book is amazing and if i was helen keller i would be amazed what i could do poor helen keller "
— Tia, 4/28/2011" i think this book is amazing and if i was helen keller i would be amazed what i could do poor helen keller "
— Tia, 4/28/2011" i think this book is amazing and if i was helen keller i would be amazed what i could do poor helen keller "
— Tia, 4/28/2011" i think this book is amazing and if i was helen keller i would be amazed what i could do poor helen keller "
— Tia, 4/28/2011" it is good so far!!!!! i recommend it to all of my friends!!!!!! "
— Alexandria, 4/5/2011" Helen Keller was an extraordinary person. She has inspiresd me to not let any obstacles get me way, may it be time or lack of confidence. "
— Jacob, 4/5/2011" Helen Keller was an extraordinary person. She has inspiresd me to not let any obstacles get me way, may it be time or lack of confidence. "
— Jacob, 4/5/2011" it is good so far!!!!! i recommend it to all of my friends!!!!!! "
— Alexandria, 4/5/2011" Helen Keller was an extraordinary person. She has inspiresd me to not let any obstacles get me way, may it be time or lack of confidence. "
— Jacob, 4/5/2011" it is good so far!!!!! i recommend it to all of my friends!!!!!! "
— Alexandria, 4/5/2011" it is good so far!!!!! i recommend it to all of my friends!!!!!! "
— Alexandria, 4/5/2011" Helen Keller was an extraordinary person. She has inspiresd me to not let any obstacles get me way, may it be time or lack of confidence. "
— Jacob, 4/5/2011" She is my new hero. She is such an accomplished woman by anybodys standards that I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that she is deaf AND blind. "
— Rebecca, 4/4/2011" She is my new hero. She is such an accomplished woman by anybodys standards that I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that she is deaf AND blind. "
— Rebecca, 4/4/2011" She is my new hero. She is such an accomplished woman by anybodys standards that I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that she is deaf AND blind. "
— Rebecca, 4/4/2011" She is my new hero. She is such an accomplished woman by anybodys standards that I had to keep reminding myself throughout the book that she is deaf AND blind. "
— Rebecca, 4/4/2011" I didn't really learn anything new from this book, but it reinforced my admiration for this amazing woman! "
— Kelly, 3/31/2011" I didn't really learn anything new from this book, but it reinforced my admiration for this amazing woman! "
— Kelly, 3/31/2011" I didn't really learn anything new from this book, but it reinforced my admiration for this amazing woman! "
— Kelly, 3/31/2011" I didn't really learn anything new from this book, but it reinforced my admiration for this amazing woman! "
— Kelly, 3/31/2011" Never finished it...but it was good as far as I read! I learned the rest of her story through research for a post I wrote. Amazing story! "
— Jane, 3/29/2011" Never finished it...but it was good as far as I read! I learned the rest of her story through research for a post I wrote. Amazing story! "
— Jane, 3/29/2011" Never finished it...but it was good as far as I read! I learned the rest of her story through research for a post I wrote. Amazing story! "
— Jane, 3/29/2011" Never finished it...but it was good as far as I read! I learned the rest of her story through research for a post I wrote. Amazing story! "
— Jane, 3/29/2011" Never finished it...but it was good as far as I read! I learned the rest of her story through research for a post I wrote. Amazing story! "
— Jane, 3/29/2011" Should be the story of my 'young' life. Goes up through attending college. I am more interested in her later years.<br/>Librivox recording. "
— Mckinley, 3/3/2011" Should be the story of my 'young' life. Goes up through attending college. I am more interested in her later years.<br/>Librivox recording. "
— Mckinley, 3/3/2011" Should be the story of my 'young' life. Goes up through attending college. I am more interested in her later years.<br/>Librivox recording. "
— Mckinley, 3/3/2011" Should be the story of my 'young' life. Goes up through attending college. I am more interested in her later years.<br/>Librivox recording. "
— Mckinley, 3/3/2011" Prose written poetically. What a heroine! "
— Christy, 2/20/2011" Prose written poetically. What a heroine! "
— Christy, 2/20/2011" Prose written poetically. What a heroine! "
— Christy, 2/20/2011" Prose written poetically. What a heroine! "
— Christy, 2/20/2011" Really enjoyable. Her writing is beautiful "
— Rachel, 2/15/2011" Really enjoyable. Her writing is beautiful "
— Rachel, 2/15/2011" Really enjoyable. Her writing is beautiful "
— Rachel, 2/15/2011" Really enjoyable. Her writing is beautiful "
— Rachel, 2/15/2011Helen Keller (1880–1968), born at Tuscumbia, Alabama, became deaf and blind at nineteen months. Her real life began when she was almost seven years old, on the day when Annie Sullivan, a twenty year-old graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind, came to be her teacher. They were inseparable until Annie’s death in 1936. Helen went on to graduate cum laude from Radcliffe College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1904, becoming the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college. She attained high distinction as a lecturer, writer, scholar, and prominent worker for social reform. Her books include The Story of My Life (1902), The World I Live In (1908), Out of the Dark (1913), My Religion (1927), Midstream: My Later Life (1929), and Let Us Have Faith (1940). Ms. Keller received the Presidential Medal of Freedom as well as many honorary degrees. Her burial urn is in the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Mary Woods began her career in Washington, DC, where she performed at Ford’s Theater, the Folger Theater, Round House, and Washington Stage Guild. She spent several seasons at New Playwrights’ Theater developing new American plays. She is a veteran narrator of Talking Books for the Library of Congress, and received the Alexander Scourby Narrator of the Year Award for fiction in 1996. Formerly a radio news director, she now hosts a daily local affairs interview program on Catholic Radio, for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. She lives in Albuquerque, where she continues to act on stage and in film. She received her BA at the Catholic University of America in Fine Arts and Drama.